God's Own Gentlewoman
The Life of Margaret Paston
(Autor) Diane WattThe remarkable story of Margaret Paston, whose letters form the most extensive collection of personal writings by a medieval English woman. Drawing on the largest archive of medieval correspondence relating to a single family in the UK, God's Own Gentlewoman explores what everyday life was like during the turbulent decades at the height of the Wars of the Roses. Covering topics including political conflicts and familial in-fighting, forbidden love affairs and clandestine marriages, bloody battles and sieges, fear of plague and sudden death, friendships and animosity, and childbirth and child mortality, Margaret's letters provide us with unparalleled insight into all aspects of life in late medieval England. Diane Watt, a world expert on medieval women's writing, offers insight into Margaret's activities, experiences, emotions and relationships, presenting the life of a medieval woman who was at times absorbed by the mundane and domestic, but who found herself caught up in the most extraordinary situations and events.
Diane Watt
Diane Watt is a prominent scholar and academic known for her expertise in medieval literature and gender studies. She has authored several influential works, including "Medieval Women's Writing" and "Women, Writing, and Religion in England and Beyond, 650-1100." Watt's research focuses on the intersection of gender, literature, and religion in the medieval period, shedding light on the often overlooked contributions of women writers. Her work has had a significant impact on the field of medieval studies, challenging traditional narratives and expanding our understanding of medieval literature. One of her most famous works is "Medieval Women's Writing," which explores the diverse range of texts written by women in the Middle Ages. Watt's meticulous research and groundbreaking insights have solidified her reputation as a leading scholar in the field of medieval literature.